World's Most Expensive Pokemon Card Sells for $900,000 (and it's not a Charizard)

A record breaking sale saw $900,000 spent on a rare Pokemon Card at Goldin Auctions, making it the largest amount spent at a public auction on a single card. And, whilst you might assume it would be a perfect condition original Charizard (perhaps the most sought after in popular culture), instead it was a scarcely known 1998 Pocket Monsters Japanese Promo "Illustrator" Pikachu Holo, graded by PSA as a Near Mint 7.

The card is described as particularly elusive, as only 23 cards of this type are logged with PSA, and only two of those carry a Near Mint grading. The card was originally through illustration contests in 1997 and 1998, held by Coro Coro Magazine, and is the only card to display "ILLUSTRATOR" as its heading.  Further, it is the only Pokemon card that holds the set icon of a pen in the bottom right hand corner.

The card itself reads "We certify that your illustration is an excellent entry in the Pokémon Card Game Illust Contest. Therefore, we state that you are an Officially Authorized Pokémon Card Illustrator and admire your skill." It contains artwork of Pikachu by Atsuko Nishida. 

It sold last night after 34 bids, the winning bid of $750,000 with a buyers premium bringing it to $900,000and beat the record for a single Pokemon Card at auction held by the same style of card, another Illustrator card that sold last year for $375,000. 

Final Sale Price: $900,000

An all-time record public sale for any Pokémon card. pic.twitter.com/BgO9yPA42I

— Goldin (@GoldinCo) February 24, 2022

Previously we asked whether you'd pay $15,000 for a Pokemon Card, now we ask if you'd spend $900,000?